How to vary number of operators working on processor for different items

[dhakshinamoorthy_a]

[ FlexSim 19.1.0 ]

Hi I want to create a Scenario where Product A,B,C are produced and they are moved to a single processor but they should have different processing time for Product A = 10 mins, Product B=20 mins,Product C=30 mins. But i also want set number of operator working for processing Product A as 3 number, Product B as 2 numbers, Product C as 5 Numbers.

I have managed to create different processing time in a single processor by editing the code but can anyone help me on the operator mapping?Operator mapping.fsm

[regan_blackett · Accepted solution]

There isn't a really easy way to do this as far as I know. But you could do it with a flowitem Label and a couple of code expressions in the OnEntry Trigger of the Processor.

In the attached model (variable operators.fsm), I created a label for your flowitems called "NumOps" with the value of how many operators should be requested. Then OnEntry I ahve these two expressions to programmatically set the number of requested operators equal to the value of the label.

setvarnum(current, "nrofsetupoperators", item.NumOps);
setvarnum(current, "nrofprocessoperators", item.NumOps);

Visually this might look a little weird because when the operators are requested they may stand on top of each other but if you move them out of the way, the right number of operators are present. Also since your process time for Product C is 0, the operators won't be requested at all.

[jason_lightfoot_adsk]

A related idea you might be able to take value from, is used in this old model from 2011 where the processing time is dependant on the number of available operators which can change as the item is being processed. The idea is that you define how long it would take with a fixed number, say 1,2,3 or 4 (or n) operators, and then it looks at the lost efficiency compared to the optimal number (the one with least total operator time), and calculates the work content contributed/remaining. The work definition is stored in a label "processdurations" on the basicFR you see between the conveyors and the operators are called to that process, but can be preempted away by higher priority tasks. Needs re-verification in the latest versions no doubt and might benefit from being converted to process flow. For different products you could use multiple 'label tables' or have them nested in one lookup table.

20.1_OperatorDependentProcessTime4_cleartasks.fsm

5.5_OperatorDependentProcessTime4_cleartasks.fsm

MultipleOperatorsPTimeCalcs.xlsx

[joerg_vogel_HsH]

Hi @jason.lightfoot, you have probably edited your answer. All your uploads were erased. They don't work anymore. Can you upload them again. See my error report here. Many Thanks. Jörg

[philboboADSK]

The Use Operator picklist has an option called Multiple Teams that you can specify how many operators you want from any number of dispatchers. The number of operators can be dynamic based on the item.

Attached is your model using this option to do what you specified in your question.

I copied your Process Time code into a user command to use that same logic for picking the number of operators, and then I called that user command from the Multiple Teams picklist option.

I also added a dispatcher and set the operators to return to their starting positions when idle, so that you can easily see that it is using different amounts of operators for each item type. This isn't necessary in a real model though. It just makes it easier to see how many are being used in this sample model if they don't stand by the processor when idle.

operator-mapping_1.fsm

[jason_lightfoot_adsk]

Thanks for pointing that out - it's bit ironic, as I'd only just today found the model in an archive, having lost it from the original forum.

[dhakshinamoorthy_a]

Thanks a lot for your help.

[dhakshinamoorthy_a]

By any chance can i change the color to differentiate the various product type?

Thanks in advance.

[dhakshinamoorthy_a]

Thanks a lot for your timely help @jason.lightfoot but i needed the processor in the model so that i would be easy for myself to explain to others with a processor in the model. I appreciate your work on tracked variable but that would be very nice and thanks a lot but since this is for my college project the staffs would like to see in terms of graphical representation where i found out they can be done using Dashboards.

Thanks mate for your help.

[philboboADSK]

Of course. Use the Visual > Set Object Color picklist option in the Source's On Create trigger.

Or just set it with code:

item.color = Color.red;

[dhakshinamoorthy_a]

Thanks @phil.bobo .